Camera lock and number indicating device



Nov 51932 cm A. KUNKLER 1,888,134

CAMERA LOCK AND NUMBER INDICATING DEVICE Filed April 2. 1931 awwrw amps fir: EAC/IM EUOSURE Warez/0e x2 WM {er INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov 15, 1932 CLARENCE 5.

gum, or mom CLEMENS, MICHIQAN CAMERA LOCK AND NUMBER nvmcarmo DEVICE Application filed April 2, 1931. Serial No. 527,271.

My present invention has reference to cameras, and my object is the provision of a camerawith means for latching the operating lever when swung to the limit of its two 5 positions to prevent the accidental movement of the shutter and to record the number of times the shutter has been thrown so that the operator can have visible knowledge oi the number of films exposed and consequently the number of films remaining on the roll.

A further object is to provide a means for this purpose that is simple in construction, cheap in manufacture and eflicient in practical use.

To the attainment of the foregoing the invention consists in the improvement hereinafter described and definitely claimed.

In the drawin Figure 1 is a ront elevation of a camera equipped with the improvement.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view approximately on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view approximately on the line H of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the spring gietal member provided with the fingers or ogs.

improvement is especially adaptable to a small type of cameras which are cheaply constructed and which are well known in the trade but is also adapted to other types of cameras that have their shutters operated by a lever which is hand actuated.

In carrying out my invention I provide the front of the camera 1 with a window 2, and the celluloid or glass panel of the window ma be translucent.

e camera is (provided with the usual pivotally supporte shutter 3 which may be provided with the usual spring to hold the shutter in its two thrown positions. The shutter is thrown by an ang e lever, one of whose arms 4 is pivoted to the shutter and in the present instance the second arm of the lever is ofiset from the center thereof and formed with a straight extension 5. To this extension r s referably remcvably but an outer U-shaped portion, or more practically speaking, with a spring arm 7 The spring arm is designed to force the spring arm or lever 6 against the outer side wall of the vertically arranged slot 8 in the side of the camera and itself into contact with the second or inner side wall or the said slot, and likewise into notches 9 and 10 which communicate with the slot at the ends thereof. The spring member or lever 6 and its finger 7 therefore latch the shutter operating lever in two positions and consequentlyefi'ectively hold the shutter when thrown to either of its two positions. This simple means will prevent the accidental operation of the shutter.

The pivot pin for the operating lever is in the nature of a headed element that is indicated by the numeral 10'. The pivot pin passes through inner and outer discs 11 and 12, respectively, the inner disc 11 being larger than the outer disc 12 and both of these discs are provided with peripheral spaced notches or teeth 13 and 1&, respectively, the angle walls between the notches being oppositely arranged. The dials or discs 11 and 12 between the peripheral teeth 13 and 14 thereof have inscribed thereon numerals. The numerals 15 on the dial 11 are uneven and the numbers 16 on the dial 12 are even numbers, the numbers ranging from 1 to the largest number of films on the roll therefor in the camera. The in 10 passes through a bearing sleeve 16 etween the central portion of the operating lever and the central openings in the discs 11 and 12 and the bearing sleeve between the inner disc 11 and the bearing m7ember has arranged thereon a spacer sleeve 1 The spring arm 6 has an ofi'set or angleportion 18 slitted from its outer end to provide the same with two spaced dogs or fingers 19 and 20, respectively, the spring finger 19 being dgf a less length than that of the finger 20 an these fingers engage the periphery of the dial wheels or discs 11 and 12 and the teeth thereon, with the result that when the operating lever is swung in one direction one A I means that is best illustrated by Figures 3 and '5 ofthe drawing. This' means comprises a spring plate bent to provide a substantially U-shaped body portion 21, the inner element of the body having openings therethrough for the reception of tacks or like elements 22 for holding the member 21 fixed in the camera. The sides 23 of the member 21 are formed at one of their outer. corners with reduced extensions in the nature of spring fingers 24 and 25, respectively. The fingers are angularly arranged and are directed toward each other, the sprin finger 24 being of a greater length than t e spring finger 25 so that the finger 24- will engage with the teeth of the outerdisc 12 and the shorter spring finger 25 will'engage with the teeth of the inner disc 11. The spring fingers or dogs thus hold the discs from turning and retain the discs in proper position after the same have beenturned by the operation of the lever so that the figu s or numerals thereon are clearly visible th ough the window 2. The figure on the right hand side of the window, as disclosed by Figure 1 of the drawing, indicates the number of the film on the roll last exposed. When thelever is turned to swing the shutter to another position the numeral honltheim l dlsc will appear through the window, numeral 3 remaining stationary or in exposed position through the window, and showing that the third film has been exposed and that the fourth film is in a position for exposure. Thus the largest numbers on the disc disclosed through the windows inform the operator of thenumber of films exposed and as he is acquainted with the number of films on the roll he willbe informed the number of films yet to be exposed. j i

The contact of the throw lever with the end movement of the shutter in both' directions.

. The device is of a simple construction and the advantages thereof will, it is thought, be.

apparent so that further detailed description wi l not be required. On the front of the camera, above the winthe swinging of dow 2 there is preferably inscribed the information count two numbers for each time exposure, or if desired, this information may be contamed 1n a printed pamphlet of instructions to accompany the cameras when the same are placed on the market.

Having described the invention, I claim: 1. Acamera having a window on its front, a vertical slot on one of-its sides and having notches that communicate with the ends of 7a the slot, a shutter operating memberpivotally secured in the camera and having a spring arm extendingthrough the "slot and the said armbeingbent upon itself to proalso received through the slot and which forces the arm against one wall of the slot 9 and permits of the finger be g received in the notches when the lever ha been swung to throw the shutter to either of its two posi- 'tions, number bearin wheels journaled on the pivot and the num rs of the said wheels. being visihldtliibizgh-thewindowflaiidiscs having peripheral teeth, and the angle walls between the teeth on the respective discs be-' ing oppositely directed said lever having an offset portion provide with spaced spring fingers to engage with the periphery an with the notches of the discs, and sprmg dogs also engaging with the periphery and the notches of the discs for holding the discs from accidental turning.

2. A camera having a window on its front, avertical slot on one of its sides and having notches that communicate-with the ends of 10 the slot, a shutter operating member pivotally secured in 131s camera and having a spring arm exten ing through the slot and the said arm being bent upon itself to rovide the same with a spring finger whic is also received through the slot and which forces the arm a ainst one wall of the slot and permits of t e finger being received in the notches when the lever has been swung to throw the shutter to either of its" two positions, number bearin wheels journaled on flfifthepivotandlthehnnmmflhe said wheels being visible through the windo ms aid discs having peripheral teeth, and the angle walls between the teeth of :the respective discs beirilig oppositely directed, said lever having an- 0 set portion provided with spaced spring fingers to engage with the periphery an 'with the n otches of the discs, and spring dogs also engaging with the periphery and notches .1

of the discs for holding the discs from accidental turning, said springdogs being formed on one of the outer corners of the sides of the substantially U-shaped member which is fixed in the camera.

3. A camera having a window and a slot, a shutter operatinglever movable through the slot and limiting the throw of the shutter vide the same with a spring finger whichis 80 i when moved into contact with the end walls of the slot, and exerting a frictional engageno ment with the walls of the slot when moved in such osition for latching the lever, peripheral y notched dials having numerals thereon to indicate the number 0 films on a spool and the films exposed as well as the number of films to be exposed and the said numbers being visible throu h the window in the camera, means actuate by the swinging of the lever for moving the respective discs in opposite directions in accordance with the throw of the lever, and springmeans engaging the discs for holding the same from turning except when influenced by the lever.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CLARENCE A. KUNKLER. 

